One week ago today, producerAdi Shankarreleased the latest entry in his Bootleg Universe short film collection,Power/Rangers, which ended up being ensnared in legal complications and was removed for a short period of time, beforereturning online over the weekend. Today,Adi Shankarkeeps his Bootleg Universe going by tackling theJames Bondfranchise with his new fan filmIn Service of Nothing. The short is actually presented as an animated pre-visualization for a live-action movie, set in the present day but followingSean Connery’s 007, with Christopher Gee voicing/impersonating Bond, decades after he retired and MI6 forgave his transgressions. Here’s how the short is described onAdi Shankar’s YouTube channel.
“In this Unauthorized “Bootleg Universe” One-Shot, an aging James Bond struggles to find his place in a self absorbed world without boarders, where service to one’s nation is an antiquated concept. Presented to you as a pre-visulation motion storyboard.
The producer also had this to say about In Service of Nothing:
“I always wondered what would happen toJames Bondin his old age and in our borderless world. I’m not referring to the Bond we’ve seen in recent films, that incarnation is closer to Jason Bourne meets Batman. I’m referring to the swanky, alcoholic, serial killer, with mommy issues that we saw in films like Dr. No and Goldfinger. How would he find a sense of purpose in a self absorbed and impersonal modern world once his license to kill has been revoked?”
Tyler Gibbwrote and directedIn Service of Nothing, withAdi Shankarproducing and the voice cast rounded out byFryda Wolff, Damien C. Haas, Gregory Hardigan and Rachel Kimsey. In addition to the short film, we also have a behind-the-scenes video withAdi Shankarexplaining why he wanted to add James Bond to his Bootleg Universe. Take a look at both the fullIn Service of Nothingand the featurette below. Be warned, In Service of Nothing is very graphic and not safe for work (NSFW).
